Baler

ABSTRACT

A baler with a rectangular baling chamber and in which a baling piston is accommodated. A supply channel with a supply arrangement for the conveying and compressing of crop in the supply channel and for bringing the compressed harvested crop into the baling chamber and with a sensor arrangement for the determination of the loading on at least one component of the baler. The crop to be baled is pre-compressed in the supply channel by a compression fork before it is pushed into the baling chamber by a loading fork. The sensor arrangement is configured in such a way that it detects or can detect one or more values that represent the distribution of the harvested crop with respect to the width of the supply channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/177,511 filed 8 Jul. 2005, which application is pending.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention generally relates to a baler and, more particularly, to abaler having a sensor arrangement for determination of at least onevalue representing the throughput or distribution of harvested crop withregard to the width of the supply channel.

2. Related Technology

German Patent Reference No. DE A1 195 43 343 shows an agricultural balerfor the production of large rectangular bales. This baler is providedwith a weighing arrangement that weighs the finished bound bale ofharvested crop. The baler is equipped with sensor technology for thedetermination of the relative loading value of the operating devices ofthe baler using strain gages, rotational speed sensors, pressure sensorsor temperature sensors.

The general purpose of the present invention overcomes problems in theprior art by providing a baler delivering regularly formed bales. In theprior art, the supply of harvested crop to balers is frequently notoptimal, therefore the balers routinely deliver irregularly formedbales.

SUMMARY

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent to a person of ordinary skill in this art upon careful readingof the detailed description of this including the drawings as presentedherein.

The present invention discloses a baler having a rectangular balingchamber in which a movable baling piston is enclosed. A supply channeland a supply arrangement for the conveying and compressing of crop inthe supply channel and for introducing the compressed harvested cropinto the baling chamber, is also provided. A sensor arrangement for thedetection of the loading of at least one component of the baler, whereinthe sensor arrangement is configured in such a way that it determinesone or more values which represent the distribution of the harvestedcrop with respect to the width of the supply channel to the baler or tothe baling chamber.

Accordingly, the crop supplied to the baler can be altered by changingthe operation of the baler or of the towing vehicle of the baler.Therefore, a more uniform harvested crop as well as a more uniformsupply of harvested crop in the supply channel in the baling chamber ofthe baler can be achieved. Consequently, the bales formed in the balingchamber will be formed more uniformly or more homogeneously with respectto their width. An exemplary baler is an agricultural baler that can beparticularly used for the production of large rectangular bales that canbe coupled to a towing vehicle as well as configured as a self propelledmachine.

A point wise loading of the supply arrangement can be determined usingat least one pressure sensitive sensor. The sensor arrangementpreferably will be provided with at least two pressure sensitive sensorsthat are spaced at a distance from each other so that the crop or thecrop distribution relative to the width of the baler is represented bythe difference of the values obtained. A torque sensor can detect atorque or a moment acting on the supply arrangement or one of itscomponents. Alternatively, the torsion of the supply arrangement or oneof its components or component groups can also be detected using asensor.

A point wise loading of the supply arrangement can be determined usingat least one pressure sensitive sensor. The sensor arrangementpreferably will be provided with at least two pressure sensitive sensorsthat are spaced at a distance from each other so that the crop or thecrop distribution relative to the width of the baler is represented bythe difference of the values obtained. A torque sensor can detect atorque or a moment acting on the supply arrangement or one of itscomponents. Alternative, the torsion of the supply arrangement or one ofits components or component groups can also be detected using a sensor.

Depending on the direction of the torque, the value determined by thesensor can be an indicator of the distribution of the crop. However, thesensor arrangement preferably will be provided with at least twopressure sensors that are spaced at a distance from each other, so thatthe crop throughput or crop distribution relative to the width of thebaler is represented by the difference of the values obtained.Alternatively, the value of the torque or moment can be an indicator ofthe distribution of the crop throughout in such a way that the torquerotates in the direction in which the supply arrangement is subject to agreater load and hence on which side a greater throughput passes throughthe supply arrangement or opposes its effect.

According to the illustration of one embodiment of the presentinvention, the supply arrangement is provided with a take up arrangementin the form of a pick up, a compression fork and a loading forkassembly. In the take-up arrangement, the compression fork and theloading fork assembly are driven hydraulically. Alternatively, thesupply arrangement can be provided with individual components, groups ofcomponents, or additional groups of components, for example, in the formof conveyor rotors or cutting arrangements etc. Moreover, it is possiblethat all or some individual groups of components are driven by crankdrives or in any other appropriate way.

The sensor can be provided on the take up arrangement, the compressionfork and the loading fork assembly or on any other appropriate componentof the supply arrangement. The sensor preferably takes up the torsionalloading of one or more of the aforementioned components or groups ofcomponents. Alternatively, several pressure sensors can be spaced apartfrom each other. The differing values of the distribution of the cropcan be assessed by the user.

The sensor can also detect the torque of a conveyor rotor, for example,one that extends transverse to the baler. Or alternatively the sensorcan detect the direction of operation of the conveyor rotor such as thepick up or the take up arrangement, particularly if its drive isperformed in an appropriate way. Preferably, the sensor detects a torquethat occurs about the longitudinal axis of the loading fork. The loadingfork assembly may be provided, for example, with a transverse carrierthat carries tines or other similar conveying devices or other conveyingmeans or another appropriate conveying device such as a rake likeconveying arrangement that is attached to a generally elongated carrier.The carriers may, for example, be a pipe or a pipe profile or any otherappropriate profile. The sensor may be provided on the carrier orprofile and detect its torque about the longitudinal axis. But it isalso conceivable that the sensor can be provided, for example, on thetransverse carrier.

The sensor is provided preferably with at least one digital transmitter,particularly in the form of a strain gage, or is configured as such adevice. The value determined, or made available by the sensorarrangement, the sensor or in particular, the digital transmitter, canbe received by a control or regulating arrangement to be used as basisfor regulating the processes by a data processing arrangement to bestored in memory, processed or transmitted further.

The regulating arrangement can regulate as a function of the value ofone or more functions of the baler or a towing vehicle connected to thebaler. This may, for example, be the operation of the supply arrangementas such as its conveying speed or a movement of the loading forkassembly, the compressing fork and the take up arrangement. The supplyarrangement or, in particular, the take up arrangement can be providedin parts so that the conveying speed of individual sections can bedetermined as a function of the value. But, in particular, the directionof operation of the baler or the towing vehicle is controlled orregulated or affected as a function of the value, in order to equalize anon uniform supply of crop in this way and in order to better follow amower swath with the use of an automatic positioning system, forexample, based on a satellite supported positioning system. An opticalmeans can be provided on the baler or the towing vehicle that, inparticular, permits a visual equalization with the harvested croparranged ahead of the towing vehicle or the baler or the material to betaken up. A provision can also be made for a warning arrangement to beactivated when the value reaches a pre determined limit or exceeds it,or even that the baler itself or the towing vehicle, the supplyarrangement, or individual components of the supply arrangement arestopped or slowed.

Alternatively, the data processing arrangement and the control can beconnected to a display arrangement. The display arrangement can providethe operator with information regarding the flow of the crop or thequantity of crop taken up by the baler. Therefore, the operator canchange the speed or general operation of the baler as needed. Othervalues detected by other sensor arrangements or other availableinformation from other sources can also be utilized, for example, valuesfrom a position detection system to control the baler or towing vehicle.For this purpose, the display arrangement is arranged in a cab or on anoperator's platform or at least in the vicinity or adjacent to anoperator's seat or stand. The display arrangement can display the valuesdetermined or made available by a sensor arrangement, the sensor or thetake up arrangement directly, in a processed, prepared of a graphicform.

A provision can also be made for a value to be displayed to an operatorby means of a display arrangement. For example, a display can beprovided on the baler, the towing vehicle or recorded in some other wayin order to make possible to adjust the baler and an evaluationfollowing an operating cycle. Direct influence of the baler as afunction of the value becomes possible if the value is taken up orprocessed preferably by an electrical or electronic control orregulating arrangement that is provided on the baler or on a towingvehicle that is connected or that can be connected to the baler.

The supply channel may comprise means, which pivot freely as a functionof harvested crop located in the supply channel. Such means can supplydata about the fill level of the supply channel, which may then be usedfor example to control the function of the loading and compressionforks. The means, however, can also interact independently from this oradditionally with the sensor arrangement and/or the sensor/sensorsand/or form a part of the same or the sensor/sensors. It is especiallyadvantageous when the means are configured as a preferably spring-loadedflap or comprise such a flap, which extends substantially across thewidth of the supply channel. Such a flap may have a two- or multi-piecedesign, with the flap(s) being able to interact with a sensor or also toform such a sensor. If one of the flaps is pivoted less or more than theother flap or if a higher or lower loading is applied on the means bythe harvested crop, then it may be concluded that in the area of thisflap or this means more or less crop is present. If the means or theflap is pivoted evenly, then the crop is distributed evenly. This waythe means or the flap may supply information about the distribution ofthe harvested crop with respect to the width of the supply channel andhence to the harvester, preferably by means of sensors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Thedrawings show an embodiment of the invention that shall be described ingreater detail in the following.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a baler according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a supply channel with a loading forkassembly; and

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a bottom wall region of the supplychannel containing two pivoted, spring loaded flaps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a baler 10 for the production of rectangular bales,comprising a frame 12 which is supported by ground support wheels 14 ina tandem arrangement. A towbar 16 is connected to the frame 12 andextends from frame 12 to the front and is configured in such a way thatit can be connected to a towing vehicle, such as an agriculturaltractor, not shown, which is equipped with a power take off shaft inorder to provide power for the drive of various driven components of thebaler 10. A baling chamber 18 or a chamber of rectangular cross sectionis formed in part by an upper housing part 20 and a lower housing part22. The lower housing part 22 further comprises a crop inlet 24, towhich a curved supply channel 26 is connected that is used as a precompression chamber as is described below. A supply arrangement 27 isprovided with a take up arrangement 28, a compression fork 30 and aloading fork assembly 36. The take up arrangement 28, in the form of apick up with a screw conveyor conveying towards the center, is arrangedahead of the supply channel 26 in order to raise a swath of harvestedcrop from the ground and to deliver it to the compression fork 30, whichis used to compress harvested crop in the supply channel 26 until a loadof predetermined density has been accumulated in the supply channel 26and is pushed by means of a loading fork assembly 36 over the crop inlet24 into the baling chamber 18. A spring loaded flap or a means 38 ismounted that can freely pivot at a lower forward point of the supplychannel 26, that pivots as a function of the harvested crop located inthe supply channel 26, and indicates that a desired density of the cropto be baled has been reached in the supply channel 26. Electricalcurrent is provided to an electrical control circuit, which controls thecorresponding drive connections that activate the loading fork assembly36 such that the movement of the loading fork assembly 36 transports theload of harvested crop into the baling chamber 18.

When the load of harvested crop has been brought into the baling chamber18, a piston mechanism 40 located ahead of the frame 12 is actuated in acontrolled sequence after the loading fork assembly 36 in order to movethe harvested crop to the rear into the baling chamber 18 where theharvested crop can be compressed in a stack. After the stack ofcompressed material has reached a predetermined length, a needleassembly 42 containing several curved needles, is actuated for thedelivery of wrapping yarn. Knot tying devices (not shown) organizeseveral strands of yarn such that the deposited lengths of yarncorresponds to the predetermined lengths of the stack forming bale 44which is also ready for unloading. Unloading occurs when the bale ispushed out of the rear end region of the baling chamber 18 by a partialbale 46. The bale increases in length while new loads of harvested cropare pushed into the baling chamber 18.

FIG. 1 also illustrates the details of the piston mechanism 40. Thepiston mechanism 40 comprises a baling piston 48 that is arranged for aback and forth movement in the baling chamber 18 between a retractedposition ahead of the crop inlet 24 and an extended position beyond thecrop inlet 24. The movement of the baling piston 48 allows the loads ofharvested crop disposed in the baling chamber 18 from the supply channel26 to be compressed against a stack of harvested crop. The stack ofharvested crop also includes a partially formed part of a bale 46 or thecomplete bale 44.

The piston mechanism 40 includes a drive 50 configured as an extensibleand retractable actuating arrangement. As shown in FIG. 1, the drive 50is a double acting hydraulic cylinder piston unit whose cylinder end isanchored with a pin 52 to the frame 12, free to pivot at a point abovethe compression fork 30. The piston end of the drive 50 is connected ata connecting point 54, perhaps with a pin, at a point between oppositeends of a first steering arm 56, used as a crank arm, whose forward endregion is connected, free to pivot at a bearing location 58 to the frame12. A rear end region of the first steering arm 56 is connected at abearing location 60, perhaps with a pin to a forward end region of asecond steering arm 62 operating as connection rod whose rear end regionis connected at a bearing location 64 with the baling piston 48.

The connecting pins of the bearing locations 58, 64 are arranged along aline of centers or approximately along a central longitudinal axis ofthe baling chamber 18. The reaction force of the crop to be baled actingon the baling piston 48 is generally absorbed by the drive 50 when thefirst and the second steering arms 56, 62 are located along a line asshown when baling piston 48 is in it rear end position. Furthermore, itshould be noted that the two steering arms 56, 62 could be configured asa pair of steering arms that are spaced at a distance from each other inthe transverse direction. Then, the drive 50 would be connected at aconnecting point 54 at a point between the pair of steering arms 56 thatform the first steering arm 56. Therefore it should be recognized thatthe baling piston 48 forms the slider of a slider crank mechanism thatcontains a first steering arm 56 as crank arm and second steering arm 62as connecting rod. Although the linkage formed by the steering arms 56,62 does not move beyond a dead center position, it could becharacterized as a toggle mechanism or a toggle linkage. Although thepreferred embodiment shows a drive 50 that is connected on one side tothe first steering arm 56 between opposite ends, the drive 50 moreovercould be connected to any point between the bearing location 58 and thebearing location 64. For example, the drive 50 could be connected to thepin 60 or at a point along the length of the second steering arm 62,where then the operation would be better than the known arrangement inwhich the actuating arrangement is connected directly to the balingpiston 48. An exemplary example of a baler is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,950,410, which is incorporated by reference herein. As an alternate tothe special drive described with a hydraulic motor. A conventional crankdrive could be used.

In FIG. 2, the supply channel 26 with the loading fork assembly 36 isshown in an enlarged view. The loading fork assembly 36 is provided witha loading fork 36 a, a first hydraulic motor or a motor 66, that is ableto move the loading fork 36 a in the longitudinal direction and a secondhydraulic motor or motor (not shown) that is connected with the loadingfork assembly 36 over a lever 70 in such a way that the loading forkassembly 36 pivots upon a retraction or an extension of the motor 68about a pivot axis 72.

The loading fork assembly 36 comprises a conveying element 74 in theform of a rake, that, includes a transverse carrier 75 and is equippedwith tines 76 that intrude into the supply channel 26 in order to pushpre compressed harvested crop from the supply channel 26 into the balingchamber 18. The loading fork 36 a is also provided with a rod, a profileor a carrier 78 to which the conveying element 74 or the transversecarrier 75 is at least generally attached rigidly.

During operation the loading fork assembly 36 is activated when theharvested crop, that was pre compressed in the supply channel 26 by thecompression fork 30, is pushed from the supply channel 26 into thebaling chamber 18. This activation can, for example, be performed atregular time intervals or on the basis of a density of the harvestedcrop in the supply channel 26 detected by appropriate means 38 and as afunction of other appropriate characteristic magnitudes.

If the loading fork assembly 36 is activated, then the first motor 66moves the loading fork 36 a in such a way that the tines 76 intrude intothe supply channel 26 at a location facing away from the crop inlet 24.A second motor (not shown) engages the lever 70 and will pivot theloading fork assembly 36 upward in such a way that the tines 76 push theharvested crop located in the supply channel 26 through the crop inlet24 into the baling chamber 18.

After the loading fork 36 a has brought the crop to be baled into thebaling chamber 18, a provision can be made for the loading fork 36 a orthe tines 76 to remain in this position adjacent to the crop inlet 24,the loading fork 36 a or tines 76 can close the inlet during the nextpre compression cycle and are retracted during the next activation outof the supply channel 26 and brought into the aforementioned positionfacing away from the crop inlet 24, in order to be brought againimmediately following into the supply channel 26. The crop inlet 24 canbe closed during a compression cycle by any known means. For example, inthe form of a pivoted fork and the loading fork assembly 36 is brought,after the conclusion of the loading process, into its position facingaway from the crop inlet 24, whereupon the tines 76 do not enter thesupply channel 26.

According to the present invention the loading fork assembly 36 can beprovided with a sensor arrangement 80 that includes sensors isappropriate to determine the loading acting upon the loading forkassembly 36 or the loading fork 36 a and the loading exerted bypre-compressed crop on the spring-loaded flap or means 38. The sensorarrangement 80 is effectively connected to an electronic data processingarrangement (DPU) and/or to a control or regulating arrangement (ECU)that is provided on the baler 10 or on a towing vehicle, not shown,which is connected or can be connected to the baler 10. The dataprocessing arrangement (DPU) and/or the control and regulatingarrangement (ECU) is provided with a display arrangement 82 or isconnected or can be connected to such an arrangement.

The sensor arrangement 80 is particularly appropriate to determine atorsional load on the loading fork assembly 36 or the loading fork 36 aabout its or their longitudinal extent and thereby at least generallyabout the carrier 78. For this purpose the sensor arrangement 80 isconfigured to include as a sensor 86, particularly in the form of atorque or a torsional load sensor.

Using the torque measurements, the distribution of crop in the supplychannel, particularly in regard to its width can be calculated. If thesensor 86 of the sensor arrangement 80 detects no torque, a small levelof torque, or no torsional load, or only a small torsional load, thenthe harvested crop is distributed uniformly over the width of the supplychannel 26. However, if a torsional load or a moment is detected in onedirection (either to the right or the left with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle or the extent of the length) then alarger amount of crop is located in the more highly loaded region or inthe region in which the moment of the torsion is directed than in theopposite region or on the opposite side.

The sensor arrangement 80 delivers or transmits a corresponding value orcorresponding values to the data processing arrangement DPU and thecontrol or regulating arrangement ECU. It is conceivable, for example,to control or regulate automatically in such a way that the crop isuniformly taken up, for example, in that the towing vehicle or the baler10 follows a mower swath more accurately. The regulating arrangement,for example, controls one or more functions of the baler 10 or thetowing vehicle as a function of this or these values. An optical meansmay be provided, for example, on the towing vehicle or, particularly inthe case of a self propelled baler on the baler itself which take up thedistribution of the crop on the field that is to be processed andtransmits it to the data processing arrangement (DPU) or to the controlor regulating arrangement ECU for further processing. The values can bedisplayed to an operator directly or in a form processed by the dataprocessing arrangement DPU by means of the display arrangement 82, sothat the operator can make the direction of operation of the towingvehicle or the baler 10 conform or correct it.

The sensor arrangement 80 can also he used to detect the force appliedto the loading fork assembly 36 or a pressure applied to the loadingfork 36 a. For this purpose, the sensor arrangement 80 includes a sensor88 in the form of a strain gage can be applied to the transverse carrier75 and the carrier 78 or regions of the loading fork assembly 36 todetermine the deflection of the transverse carrier 75 or the carrier 78from the applied force on the loading fork 36 a or the loading forkassembly 36 in the vertical direction. The sensor 88 immediatelytransmits a value that corresponds to the applied load to the dataprocessing arrangement DPU and the regulating arrangement. The sensorarrangement 80 can also sense what force the loading fork 36 a or theloading fork assembly 36 experiences, across its width, from theharvested crop arranged in the supply channel 26 when it is moved intothe baling chamber 18. This is accomplished by providing at least twopressure sensitive sensors 90 on the carrier 75 spaced at a distancefrom each other so that the crop or crop distribution relative to thewidth of the baler is represented by the difference of the valuesobtained.

On the basis of this force, conclusions can be drawn preferably by meansof the data processing arrangement DPU as to the weight of the portionof harvested crop arranged in the supply channel and the amount ofharvested crop conveyed by each stroke into the baling chamber. The dataprocessing arrangement can also determine the weight of the finishedbale or the bale being formed and evaluate these using a positioningsystem or a satellite supported GPS system. In addition, the control orregulating arrangement can control one or more functions of the baler 10or of the towing vehicle such as the operating velocity of the towingvehicle. On the baler, for example, the function of the loading forkassembly, the frequency, (i.e., the spacing in time of the loadingprocesses), the diameter or the volume of the supply channel, or otherappropriate functions can be detected as desired.

According to another embodiment (see FIG. 3) it may also be providedthat a sensor arrangement 80′ comprises two sensors 92 respectivelyassociated with two separate flap pieces 94, comprising the flap 38,which pivot as a function of the harvested crop present in the supplychannel 26 and indicate that a desired density of the crop to be baledhas been reached in the supply channel 26. Specifically, the two flapsections 94 are separately hinged on a rod extending beneath, the supplychannel 26. Thus, the flap sections 94 can pivot independently from eachother. Each of the flap sections 94 is spring loaded by a spring 96coupled between an arm joined to an outer side of the associated flapsection 94, with the springs resisting pivotal movement of the flapsections 94 caused by increasing density of the crop located in thesupply channel 26. If a larger crop quantity is located on one side ofthe supply channel 26, the flap section 94 arranged in this area willpivot more strongly in this area than the other flap section 94. Each ofthe flap sections 94 acts together with the associated sensor 92, whichsupplies data that can be processed for example with the data processingarrangement (DPU).

1. A baler, comprising: a baling chamber having a moveable balingpiston; a supply channel having a supply assembly for conveying andcompressing crop in the supply channel and for delivering the compressedcrop into the chamber; a sensor assembly configured to detect theloading of the compressed crop on the baler and including at least firstand second sensors to detect a distribution value of the harvested cropwith respect to a width of the supply channel; and a flap defining asection of a bottom wall of, and extending said width of said supplychannel; said flap having at least two parts provided in side-by-siderelationship to each other across said bottom wall of the supplychannel, each of the at least two parts pivoting independently of oneanother as a function of the harvested crop located in the supplychannel and respectively interacting with said first and second sensorsof the sensor assembly.